http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/du/Qbosnia-un-uranium.RsDJ_COE.html PenTeleData UN testing for depleted uranium contamination in|Bosnia Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet) SARAJEVO, Oct 14 (AFP) - Experts from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on Monday began tests for contamination in several locations in Bosnia where NATO forces used depleted uranium shells during the country's 1992-1995 war. "The UNEP's aim is to determine whether the use of depleted uranium during the conflict in Bosnia may pose health and environmental risks either now or in the future," team leader Pekka Haavisto told reporters. Last year the UNEP concluded that depleted uranium shells used by NATO forces in Yugoslavia had not caused widespread contamination. But in early 2001 many NATO and non-NATO countries raised concern over possible link between the use of depleted uranium ammunition in the Balkans and increased cancer rates among soldiers who had participated in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and the Serb province of Kosovo. Over the next 10 days, the 17-member UNEP team plans to take soil, water and vegetation samples from 12 sites across the country. Six of the sites have been identified by NATO as having been struck by depleted uranium weapons during air strikes against Bosnian Serbs in 1994 and 1995. The samples will be tested in nuclear laboratories in Italy, Britain and Switzerland, Haavisto said, adding that the final conclusions were expected be published in March next year. At the request of the local authorities, the UNEP will also examine cancer rates in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and the eastern town of Bratunac, where many refugees from areas hit during bombing raids now live. Bosnia was hit by three tons of depleted uranium NATO shells in 1994-1995, Haavisto said. Bosnian officials said at the time that the number of cancer cases increased after the war, but gave no evidence to link it with depleted uranium. A NATO committee has said that scientific and medical research has so far not shown any link between depleted uranium and reported health problems. Serbian News Network - SNN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.antic.org/
